Posted on 10/17/2012 2:10:38 PM PDT by csvset
CHESAPEAKE
Supporters for Mitt Romney lined up early at Tidewater Community College to see the Republican presidential nominee, who took the stage about 1:15 p.m. and was finished about 20 minutes later.
"I'm counting on you," he told the crowd. "Get out and vote, get your friends to vote."
Romney's Chesapeake visit was his first campaign stop since he met President Barack Obama in their second debate Tuesday night. A third and final debate will take place Monday at Lynn University in Florida.
"I have to be honest with you. I love these debates," Romney said. "These things are great. I think it's interesting that the president still doesn't have an agenda for the next four years."
Before the candidate took the stage, several Virginia Republicans, including Gov. Bob McDonnell and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, got the crowd going.
McDonnell praised Romney's performance in the debate.
"Think how much better Virginia would be if we had a job creator in the White House like Mitt Romney," he said.
Cuccinelli said Romney has proven he’s ready to take on the nation’s ills. "You don't solve problems if you don't face them,” he said. “Gov. Romney is ready to face that challenge and he proved it by picking Paul Ryan."
Del. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, acknowledged the weather at today’s rally. It is a "beautiful day to welcome our next president," Cosgrove said.
Last week, when Romney visited Newport News, he and his supporters were greeted by a downpour.
Along with local Republicans, the campaign brought some star power.
Singer Lee Greenwood warmed the crowd up with a few songs including the national anthem.
U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes introduced comedian Dennis Miller, who took the microphone about 1 p.m.
"I'm starting to see people notice it didn't work out," Miller said of people who voted for Obama.
The crowd of supporters reached 3,000, according to event organizers.
Belinda Donaldson of Virginia Beach said the event was memorable, exciting and emotional.
"He's amazing," she said after the rally. "Hes a good man with the right ideas."
J. Colquitt, a Greenbrier resident, was one of the many who came to hear Romney. She said this is her third Romney rally in Virginia.
"I'm very excited about the possibility of Romney being our next president," she said.
Gloria Macapobre of Chesapeake and her husband, Oscar, are planning to vote for Romney, but said "it's not the man we are voting for, it's the party."
Her husband said the last time he voted for a Democrat was in the 1970s. "Now we are Republican. No matter what. We embrace the party platform."
Pilot writer Lauren King contributed to this story.
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, got the crowd going.
He got quite a welcome.
There pics from the paper at the source.
Here my some of my amateur photos.
Gov. Bob mentioned Obama's war on coal. Coal means jobs in Va.
Dennis Miller and U.S. Representative Randy Forbes, (VA 4)
Gov. Bob McDonnell
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli
It should have read "There are" pics from the paper at the source.
Thanks. The pics are great.
Great shots, thanks for the report and pictures.
Tsunami a-comin’.
Great report.
Kudos.
Good job!! Thanks for sharing. :))
Cool - and nice that Dennis Miller has his boots on the ground!
I believe I heard on the radio that Obumbler was in Ohio or Iowa today any idea size of crowd there? Anyone know? Romney attracting only 3000 is not a whole lot of people. He should be drawing 10+ or more....worrisome. I have concluded to by pass the pollsters and judge who is ahead by the crowds they attract to their rallies. Just my way of soothing my nerves!
3k is not a lot but it’s a weekday so maybe they’re at work - (doing their best to support the Obama voters).
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Depends. I do think that we might see the crowd sizes trend downward for both. Every last person I have talked to says that they have their minds made up, and, although I never asked who they would favor, I got a lot of “I am sick of this” comments.
I voted today and Romney can put one on his side of the scorecard. I am way sick of this crap. GD gas is way to high, food has just about doubled, and on and on.
That FICA tax break they gave us? Well that about covers five or six gas fill ups.
Hopefully most made up their mind either at the gas pump, the grocery checkout or after the 1st debate.
I live 30 miles away in Newport News and I wasn’t even aware there was a TCC campus in Chesapeake. I doubt the size of the venue could support more than 3,000 people.
Excellent pics. Thank you.
I live in rural central Virginia, and the area is absolutely carpeted with Romney/Ryan signs, including the big ones. I’ve never seen as many signs in an election year.
He claimed to be helping the vets out but has raised their premium for tricare and introduced new charges at the VA clinics and hospitals including a $15.00 charge just to see one’s Primary Care Provider and a $50.00 charge to see any ‘specialist’ which includes any other doctor the PCP sends them to.
What was a free of charge service for our wounded warriors is now a $65.00 charge just for walking in the door. If any meds are required, there is now an $8.00 co-payment for EACH prescription. For prescriptions which are refilled for more than a one month duration, there is an $8.00 charge for each month.
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